Management Accounting Research and Case Studies

The provided document is a compilation of various management accounting research papers, case studies, and solved assignments. It covers topics such as material flow cost accounting, carbon emission risks, and the use of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) in management accounting research. The document also includes references to books on nonprofit leadership and management, as well as a discussion on the effects of cloud technology on management accounting and decision-making.

UNIT 5 MAN ACC

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Management accounting and essential types of management accounting........................1
P2 Methods for management accounting reporting................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P3 Marginal and absorption costing and enumerating differences........................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P4 Kinds of planning tools.....................................................................................................8
P5 How management accounting system help to respond to financial problems................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Management accounting has much importance for management of the company so that
accurate decisions are taken with much ease. The present report deals with Agmet company
which is a chemical manufacturing firm. Management accounting information is required by
firm to strengthen organisation internally. Types of management accounting is discussed in the
report. Moreover, various methods of managerial accounting reports are also discussed in the
report. Planning tools are explained which are helpful in taking viable decisions. Budgeting and
planning are also accomplished with the help of management accounting information. This help
management of company to take better decisions. Moreover, marginal and absorption costing are
discussed. Furthermore, management accounting systems are also discussed so that financial
problems may be resolved quite effectively. Benefits of management accounting is also
discussed and it can be said that management accounting has great role in making enhanced
decisions.
TASK 1
P1 Management accounting and essential types of management accounting
Management accounting help to forecast business trends and as such, management is
benefited by given information for the betterment of the company. Agmet Company also uses
management accounting information so that it may be able to forecast trends in effective way
and take viable decisions. This accounting information is used by management of Agmet
Organisation to enhance internal strength so that operational tasks may be effectively managed
and customers' may be satisfied in the best possible way. Short-term and long-term policies are
taken quite easily with the help of management accounting information. Various sources which
are used in production process such as labour, materials and overheads as well as other
equipment which are required so that business may be successful in the market by satisfying
customer's demand (Otley, 2016).
Stakeholders such as creditors and investors also benefited as firm becomes strong
enough and go ahead of competitors. Various managerial reports are provided to management so
that it may analyse the same to reduce costs in effective way. This is important as business
should concentrate on expenditures so that it may not exceed revenue in any case. Thus,
expenses are reduced and revenue is maximised up to high extent which ultimately led to
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achievement of goals and objectives in effectual way. Moreover, it helps to control company's
operations in that way so that it may earn desired profits quite easily. In relation to this, types of
management accounting are as follows-
1. Cost accounting:
Cost accounting is quite helpful as it helps to control costs in effective way so that
revenue may be earned by company in the best possible manner (Renz and Herman, 2016). This
is useful branch of management accounting as it helps to assess costs of various elements in the
production process and as such, take effective measures to reduce expenditures so that adequate
revenue may be earned with much ease. There are expenses which are required to be incurred so
that production may be accomplished in effectual way. As such, various expenditures are direct,
indirect, variable, semi-variable and fixed costs in the production process. Thus, various costs are
ascertained in that way so that steps can be taken by the management to minimise expenditures
in effectual way in order to earn desired revenue.
2. Price optimisation:
Price optimisation is useful technique of management accounting and is essentially
required in Agmet company as well. It is termed as a mathematical analysis which is carried out
to assess how price of a particular product affects customer's behaviour. In simple words, this
technique help management to determine price level of products in that way so customers may
be attracted to buy it. Thus, it is meaningful technique for management to quote price of goods in
the easiest way. Agmet Company also uses price optimisation method so that it may set price of
products by analysing consumer's behaviour. This help to achieve desired profits in accordance
with satisfaction of customers as well. Thus, it is good technique to quote price of commodities
by the organisation (Chenhall and Moers, 2015).
3. Job costing:
The method of job costing is quite useful in the manufacturing sector. In relation to this,
Agmet Company also takes into account job costing as it is engaged in manufacturing of
chemical products. Job costing is recording expenditures incurred on various jobs so that
management may keep track on each of the jobs so that expenses may be reduced so that more
production may be successfully accomplished in the best possible way. Manufacturing sector
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involves various jobs and as such, it is required to figure out costs incurred on jobs so that
ineffective ones can be opt out for achieving desired production quite easily. Job costs such as
materials, direct, equipments should be analysed in that way so that it may be minimised and
more production may be achieved for meeting customers' demand. Thus, it is effective technique
for controlling costs on various jobs.
4. Inventory management:
Production cannot be achieved by the company if it has not adequate stock in the
warehouse (Cooper, Ezzamel and Qu, 2017). Inventory should be managed in effective manner
so that demand of production department may be achieved with much ease. This is important as
if more than required inventory is purchased then, it leads to incur additional costs of handling it
in the warehouse. Moreover, it leads to spoilage of scarce resources. In contrary to this, if stock
is not in adequate quantity, then production cannot be achieved effectively. Thus, inventory
should be managed so that production may be accomplished in desired way. This method help
management to assess need for production department related to stock and then purchases in
desired quantity to satisfy demand of it and meet timely orders of customers. Thus, above
discussed types of management accounting are useful for company so that it may analyse costs
and reduced the same to accomplish targeted revenue with much ease.
P2 Methods for management accounting reporting
Management accounting has immense importance for management. In addition to this,
various methods of reporting are as follows-
1. Segmental report:
Segmental reporting is quite helpful in company which has many segments. In simple
words, it is much helpful in diversified business which has enough of segments in it. The
information extracted by this report is quite helpful for creditors and investors to assess
company's strengths and weaknesses in the best possible way (Chiarini and Vagnoni, 2015). This
information is required by them so that they may be able to judge company and make decisions
whether to provide funds to it or not. This is important so that funds initiated by them may be
recovered with much ease. Agmet Company provides segmental reports to them so that better
and effective decisions related to profitability and solvency can be taken by them quite
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effectively. As such, operational segments are adequately managed by company. As such, varied
information regarding operational segments are described in the report.
2. Performance report:
Performance report is useful for analysing performance of something in the company.
Generally, performance of employees in the company is observed so that efficiency can be
maintained with much ease. To overcome this problem, performance report is prepared and
imparted to management so that it may carefully assess performance of the workers so that
deficiency in them can be resolved by taking steps and as such, they may be able to perform
much better than earlier (Tappura and et.al, 2015). Agmet Company should use performance
report to determine level of performance so that corrective actions can be taken in the event of
reduced efficiency of employees. Thus, it is effective managerial report which provides much
needed information to management to assess workers' performance to maximise the same up to
high extent.
3. Inventory management report:
Maintaining inventory is difficult task for company so that it may achieve production
with much ease and satisfy customers as well. This is important as over purchasing of stock is
not beneficial for the company and leads to additional costs for managing in the warehouse. To
overcome this problem, inventory management report is prepared. This report is forwarded to
management so that it may analyse quantum of units held by company and assess future
requirements of production department so that inventory can be purchased with reference to
demand of production. This is required as company gets numerous orders on daily basis and as
such, it is required to manage inventory in effective way. This helps to ensure that inventory is
managed in effectual way and this helps to minimise wastage of scarce resources up to high
extent (Nitzl, 2016).
4. Accounts receivables ageing report:
Credit is common thing in the business which is required so that goods and services may
be brought by customers. For maintaining accounts receivables, a report named as accounts
receivables ageing report is prepared to analyse how much credit is outstanding in the business.
The report help management to assess unpaid customer invoices so that outstanding amount may
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be recovered with much ease. This is important as if long credit is allowed then, timely recovery
of payments is interrupted up to maximum possible extent. Thus, management assess amount
which has not paid by the customers and that's why it is known as ageing report. This help
management to recover amount and if unpaid amount is more than, company should make well-
structured strategies and strict measures so that timely payment may be recovered with much
ease. Thus, accounts receivables ageing report provides much needed piece of information
beneficial for the company (Kokubu and Kitada, 2015).
5. Job cost report:
Various jobs are placed in the company so that effective work can be achieved. Job cost
report is useful in this scenario as it provides information to analyse various costs incurred on
jobs and as such, it can be reduced to achieve more production with much ease. Job costing
report is maintained in manufacturing and construction sector as they involve more jobs. The
report determine labour and materials costs and as such, steps are taken by management to
minimise the same to attain desired revenue. As such, when costs are analysed, then management
take measures to control expenditures so that efficiency may be achieved in the best possible
way. As such, costs are assigned to particular job and as a result, overall expenses are cut down
which help to accomplish targeted production in effectual way. Thus, this report is beneficial for
the management of Agmet Company to control costs incurred on jobs.
6. Operational budget report:
Operational budget is prepared in advance so that revenue and expenditures can be
decided so that control can be attained quite effectively. This is important so that business may
come to know future costs in advance and as such, adequate revenue may be earned (Wouters
and Kirchberger, 2015). Operational budget report is prepared on quarterly and annual basis
depending upon the company. Operational activities are assessed by the management and as a
result, measures are taken to control them so that adequate profits may be earned with much
ease. It includes various budgets such as production, sales, overhead which are relevant to
company so that expenditures can be analysed quite effectively and business may flourish as
well. This report is beneficial for the management of company to easily predict future costs.
Benefits of management accounting system
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Management accounting system is quite importance for the management as it help to take
effective and better decisions. The main essence of management accounting information is that
managers can resolve internal problems with much ease. This is useful information as goals can
be achieved quite effectively by strengthening organisation internally. Moreover, planning about
the new project can also be accomplished by relying on such information (Cleary, 2015).
Controlling can also be done in effective manner as various costs are analysed and steps are
taken so that expenditures may not exceed revenue in any case.
TASK 2
P3 Marginal and absorption costing and enumerating differences
Income statement on Marginal costing
Interpretation-
Marginal costing is the additional cost incurred while producing one more unit of output.
It can be interpreted that sales are amounting to 2100. On the other hand, cost is 9100 and
closing stock is 1300. By reducing all the variable cost and fixed cost, net profit is carried out
which is 9300. The net profit of Agmet Company is good.
Income statement on Absorption costing
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Interpretation-
Absorption costing is used to calculate all manufacturing overheads for arriving at net
profit. It can be interpreted that sales are 2100 and cost is 11200. Moreover, closing stock is 1600
which is reduced to arrive at cost of production which is 9500. Moreover, other costs are
deducted to arrive at net profit which is 9600. Thus, it can be said that Agmet Company has
better control on overheads and has good net profit.
Difference between marginal and absorption costing
Marginal costing Absorption costing
1. Marginal costing is applied to individual
units produced with reference to inventory
(EBRAHIMI and MOGHADASPOUR, 2015).
1. Absorption costing is used for all
manufacturing overheads as such, it is different
from marginal costing.
2. Marginal costing is not affected by the
changes in closing and opening stock. As such,
units cost of production remains the same.
3. In marginal costing, per unit cost remains
the same. This is obtained as production has no
effect on it.
2. It is affected by changes in opening and
closing stock because impact of fixed cost. As
such, unit cost of production changes as well.
3. In absorption costing, production increases
when cost per unit reduces. But variable cost
remains the same on per unit level.
4. Marginal costing has a wide scope than 4. It has less scope than marginal costing.
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absorption costing as it calculates each level of
units of produced.
5. The main essence of marginal costing is that
it uses only variable cost for valuing inventory.
5. On the other hand, both variable and fixed
costs are taken for valuing inventory.
Techniques of Management accounting
Revaluation accounting
Revaluation accounting is done to match book value of business's asset with current
market value. This is done so that correct ascertainment of profit may be made with much ease
else cost of acquisition will be over than current market value (Coad, Jack and Kholeif, 2015).
Funds flow statement
This statement is good management accounting technique which shows changes occurred
in financial statements of two years stating the concrete reason listing sources and application of
funds.
Cash flow forecasting
Cash flow forecasting is the prediction technique to analyse operating expenditures and
revenue of firm and to know how much amount of cash to be flowed in and out of the
organisation quite effectively.
TASK 3
P4 Kinds of planning tools
Incremental budgeting
Incremental budgeting is the planning tool which is the easiest way to prepare budget by
taking previous year base and just increment the same. This is helpful as only figures are
increased which will be required by departments in future period (Tucker and Schaltegger,
2016).
Advantages
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1. No complex computations are required as only figures are added from previous year to
prepare new budget. As such, it consumes less time as not entire budget needs to be prepared.
2. It is helpful as not large deviations are made by incrementing figures year after year.
Moreover, budget is prepared with much ease as less manpower is required.
Disadvantages
1. Changes are not analysed as it is mere based on increasing amount for each
department. Thus, needs of various departments may be different which is not analysed by
management (Strauss, Kristandl and Quinn, 2015).
2. The main limitation of incremental budgeting as a planning tool is that managers tend
to utilise unnecessary funds for their department and this leads to wastage of resources as well.
In contrary to this, zero based budgeting method should be used.
Zero based Budgeting
This planning tool is different from incremental budgeting. It does not take into account
previous figures and prepare budget for coming period. Instead of this, it prepares budget from
scratch base or zero base. This is effective planning tool as needs of department are analysed
from completely zero base. This leads to optimum utilisation of resources.
Advantages
1. It is effective method as calculations are easier and to arrive at new budget. As it does
not take historical figures, it is leads to effective assessment of needs of department.
2. Budget inflation is not made as company determine demand of departments and as
such, it provides funds that fulfil their requirement. This leads to effective use of resources.
Disadvantages
1. It is not suitable tool for planning as it involves lot of manpower to formulate
completely new budget which is a tedious task for employees involved in the process (Theriou,
2015).
2. Zero based budgeting takes completely new base for ascertaining requirement of
departments which is a time consuming process and not suitable for large organisations.
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NPV
NPV (Net Present Value) is effective planning tool which help management to assess
profitability aspect of new project with much ease. This is effective tool for management so that
most profitable project can be selected among various alternatives. Thus, it assists management
to opt for project depending upon profitability aspect.
Advantages
1. It is important for management to assess profitability of the project. Moreover, it
considers time of value of money as well. Moreover, it contributes in increasing value of
organisation.
2. Another advantage of NPV method is that it also takes cost of capital while evaluating
project and risks are also analysed with much ease. Moreover, calculation of NPV is easier as
well (Carlsson-Wall, Kraus and Lind, 2015).
Disadvantages
1. The main limitation of NPV is that it takes discounting rate for assessing profitability
of project which is difficult to carry out and wrong results are extracted.
2. Another limitation of this method is that it is based on mere projections and as such,
results interpreted may be wrong and not meaningful. This is not effective planning tool as it
does not consider unforeseen events which might affect profitability of the project.
IRR
IRR (Internal Rate of Return) is another useful method for planning purpose. IRR is
effective method for assessing investment by taking discounting rate factor. The main essence of
such method is that it helps NPV of cash flows from investment equal to zero. Higher IRR is
better for company and could invest in the project (Concept, Advantages, Disadvantages,
Calculation And Decision Rules Of Internal Rate Of Return(IRR), 2018).
Advantages
1. IRR is useful as a planning tool as it considers time value of money and as such, it is
quite easy to compute the value of IRR. It is also simple to use and can be easily interpreted quite
effectively.
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2. It takes all cash flows into consideration for whole project and as such, it provides
exact return which will be garnered by investing in the new project.
Disadvantages
1. It is not suitable for mutually exclusive projects and as such, it becomes difficult to
choose between two projects.
2. Another limitation of IRR method as a planning tool is that it does not consider cost of
capital which can led to wrong interpretation while evaluating new project. Moreover, it does not
consider future unforeseeable aspect of the project and can lead to wrongful results (Gibassier
and Schaltegger, 2015).
The above discussed tools are helpful for planning and management can take any method
depending upon their choice.
Giving use of planning tools in business
Planning tools are quite useful to assess effectiveness of new project so that it may yield
better returns. The above tools such as NPV, IRR and other tools are quite useful for assessing
effectiveness of project in effectual way. These tools provide company to analyse profitability of
the project and time within which returns will be generated. This provides management effective
information regarding whether to invest in the project or not. Thus, enhanced decisions are taken
to maximise firm's financial health.
P5 How management accounting system help to respond to financial problems
1. Key performance indicators (KPI)-
It is useful method for company which helps Agmet Company to make smart decisions
relating to project so that goals and objectives may be achieved quite effectively. Basically, it is
performance measurement metric which is used to evaluate success of company while engaged
in any task. It is used to analyse current effectiveness of the project so that firm can accomplish
with much ease by complying with strategic goals (Subramaniam and Watson, 2016). It is useful
for responding to financial problems as smart decisions are made by the company.
2. Budgetary target
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Budgetary target is financial goal which is made for budget planning. In simple words, it
is prediction about the future requirement of various department. This help to make adequate
assumption about the future and as such, financial problems can be solved with much ease. For
making budgetary target, management take effective mix of capital and operating expenditures
so that revenue may be earned by complying with financial goal. Thus, it is useful for firm to
respond to financial problems.
3. Balanced Scorecard
This is a strategic tool which was developed by Kaplan and Norton. They have provided
four different perspective such as financial, customer, internal business processes and learning
and growth. As such, organisation can get better picture of financial health by considering abovw
four perspectives (Balanced Scorecard (Kaplan & Norton), 2018). It takes not only financial
elements but non-financial as well. Thus, good picture is provided of company and as such,
balanced scorecard is useful to adapt to respond to financial problems. As such, efficiency is
achieved.
4. Benchmarking
Organisation need to compare with other companies so that it may be able to initiate
improvements with much ease. For this, benchmarking should be used by the management to
compare with other companies. It is effective tool as it helps Agmet Company to make
comparison with industry's best organisation so that necessary improvements can be done so that
organisation may be able to achieve higher efficiency in the best possible way. As such,
company is able to match time, quality and cost in the effectual way.
5. Variance analysis
Monitoring and controlling are adequate tool which helps to improve performance in
effective way. Company makes budgeted output and matches with the actual output to check
deviations if any (Makrygiannakis and Jack, 2016). If there are deviations, then corrective
actions are taken to improve upon the same. This helps management to work upon deviations
which is known as variance analysis. This is useful tool for measuring effectiveness of the
planned behaviour with actual behaviour and is useful tool to respond to financial problems
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faced by the company. All this management accounting system are useful for management to
seek improvements and respond to financial problems in the best possible way.
Management accounting system to respond to financial problems
Management accounting system has immense importance to Agmet Company so that it
may be able to take viable decisions by adequately responding to financial problems. The
workflows are managed in effective manner and this help to manage work in streamlined manner
(Kumarasiri and Jubb, 2016). Moreover, variance analysis and balanced scorecard are effective
system which are used by company to respond to financial problems in effectual way. Another
way is benchmarking which is used to provide information about the effectiveness of operations
of best company in the sector and as such, Agmet Company can manage costs quite effectively
and respond to financial problems.
CONCLUSION
Hereby it can be concluded that management accounting information is reliable source of
information for management to take better and effective decisions with much ease. The various
methods such as cost accounting, job costing and other methods are quite relevant for making
decisions so that costs can be effectively controlled and firm can earn revenue quite effectually.
Moreover, planning tools such as NPV, IRR, zero based budgeting are important tools to assess
viability of project and make decision whether to invest in the same or not. Costs can be
effectively controlled by the management so that expenditures may not revenue. Thus,
management accounting is quite relevant for management so that viable decisions can be taken
with much ease.
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REFERENCES
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Online
Concept, Advantages, Disadvantages, Calculation And Decision Rules Of Internal Rate Of
Return(IRR), 2018 [Online] Available Through:
<https://accountlearning.blogspot.in/2011/07/conceptadvantages-disadvantages.html>
Balanced Scorecard (Kaplan & Norton), 2018 [Online] Available Through:
<https://www.tutor2u.net/business/reference/balanced-scorecard-introduction-overview>
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